Do mule deer bucks smell during Rut?

[apache12]

So I'm new to bow hunting but not hunting. I have never hunted the rut because I only rifle hunted previously

Yesterday I glassed up a nice buck with 5 does that we're heading f around the top of a mountain. The wind was wrong so I looped all the way around until I was about 1000 yards down wind from where I hoped they were going to feed or bed. I glassed up 4 does at the top of the mountain actually just under the top. I couldn't see see the buck so I watched until they bedded and then backed out off the mountain and took a route that would put me on a shelf about 200 yards below them and I thought I would glass for the buck or wait until they got up. This is high desert and juniper country and there was a thick group of junipers that I would use as my last cover to get where I wanted glass

 

Any way I took a real slow stalk and when I was right in the thickest part of the junipers I kicked an animal. I say animal because I never saw it but my first thought was that I had kicked an elk because of the size of the sound the animal was maybe 20 or 30 yrds and I also smelled a strong oder of what I thought smelled like elk

 

Do mule deer stink during the rut? I was thinking I either really kicked elk or the buck bedded away from the does 200 yards below in the thick juniper. It sounded like two animals or one got up kicked and then stopped to check and left again.

Or. Did I kick females that where in heat?

 

I'm bummed I didn't get closer but it was a blast. I learned a bunch. Like maybe I should have had my bow in hand rather then in my pack. I just didn't expect it to be there. And I think I will wait next time until I find the buck even if that means I wait it out for a few hours

 

Any advice? Should I have sat tight or what another rather than come from the bottom up come from the top down? But top down would have had my wind wrong

 

If the bucks are with does. Should I have tried a rattle or grunt?

[5nRamirez]

It really could of been the buck sometimes they will separate the hot does from the group and typically stay within sight.And yes they do have a musky odor when in rut.

[HuntHarder]

You did the right thing, Having the wind in your favor is my single most important thing I worry about when stalking deer. Their noses are phenomenal.

 

Yes a rutted up muley will stink to high heavens. When you harvest one, you will know what I am talking about. They have a very noticeable, musky smell to them.

 

Whether or not you did anything wrong or not, I would say, the only way you learn is to make mistakes. Sometimes, there is just nothing you can do, and other times you realize you made a crucial mistake during your stalk. Sometimes it is better to wait them out and hope they go your way, other times it is best to stalk right in on top of them. Keep the wind in your favor and judge each deer individually . There is no right or wrong answer as to whether to wait, or stalk in. Each situation dictates your action. Keep at it, and soon you will be successful.

[ajohunter]

Rutting mule deer make javelina smell pleasant! Musky and back legs usually soaked in urine.

[kennyazman]

I love that smell! Haha! I'm not sure you did anything wrong. They just normally win about 90% of the time. At least that's my case. Keep giving yourself these kinds of opportunities. It'll workout in your favor eventually.

[mattys281]

The first deer I ever shot was a rutty january muley and he was very very stinky.

 

I gotta go get another one of those.

[Heat]

I've killed two muley bucks and both smelled similar to a goat. I've also smelled does before I've seen them a few times and they have a similar but less musty smell.